Obituary of Russell "Russ" Shirkey Cook

Russell Shirkey Cook, age 101, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully while surrounded by family on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Wellspring Lutheran Services Main Campus. The son of Audley and Gladys (Shirkey) Cook, Russ was born June 20, 1924, in Saginaw, Michigan. He married the love of his life, Dorothy May MacFarlane, on March 18, 1950. Together they shared 67 wonderful years of marriage until she preceded him in death on July 20, 2017.

Russ proudly served his country with the United States Army. He worked as a pattern maker in the automotive industry. Russ loved bowling, golfing, and playing cards, but he most treasured time spent with his family at the cottage that he built on Budd Lake.

Russ is survived by two daughters, Jan (Larry) Hauck and Debbie Custack; daughter-in-law, Julie Coenis; six grandchildren, Nancy (Steve) Shea, John (Sharon) Coenis, Kevin (Jessica) Custack, Stacy (Ryan) Hauck, Emily (Eddy) Jankowski, and Andrew (Brooke) Hauck; twelve great-grandchildren; Nick, Alex, TJ, Adam, Abbey, Kaylee, Annie, Zach, Addy, Paul, Zoe, and Emma; great great granddaughter, Madilyn. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy May Cook; his son, Robert W. Coenis; and his parents.

Visitation will take place on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. until the time of Funeral Service at 1:30 p.m. at Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Road, Saginaw, MI 48603. Tori Little will officiate. Military Honors will follow at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

Memorials in honor of Russ may be made to Old Town Christian Outreach, 600 Gratiot Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48602, or to the East Side Soup Kitchen, 940 E. Genesee Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48607.

For information, please call Deisler Funeral Home at (989) 799-1151. To express your condolences and share memories, please visit www.deislerfuneralhome.com.